Extension Recommendations and Discovery

Recommendation Criteria

Mozilla uses several factors to determine which extensions to recommend:

• User Reviews and Ratings: High-rated extensions with positive user feedback
• Security and Privacy: Extensions that respect user privacy and security
• Performance Impact: Extensions that don't significantly slow down the browser
• Developer Reputation: Extensions from trusted and established developers
• Compatibility: Extensions that work well with current browser versions
• Usefulness: Extensions that provide genuine value to users

Recommendation Triggers

Extensions may be recommended based on various browsing activities:

• Website Visits: Visiting sites that could benefit from specific extensions
• Repeated Tasks: Performing actions that could be automated
• Search Patterns: Searching for functionality that extensions provide
• User Behavior: Browsing patterns that suggest specific needs
• Context Awareness: Current activities that could be enhanced

Privacy and Transparency

Mozilla's recommendation system prioritizes user privacy:

• Local Processing: Recommendations processed locally when possible
• Minimal Data Collection: Only necessary data for recommendations
• User Control: Users can disable recommendation features
• Transparent Policies: Clear information about how recommendations work
• Opt-out Options: Easy ways to stop receiving recommendations

How Recommended Extensions Are Selected

Mozilla editorial staff identify feature-worthy content through a rigorous evaluation process. When evaluating extensions, curators focus on five key criteria:

• Exemplary Functionality: Extensions must function at an extremely high level, not just as promised. For example, among many ad blockers, only the most effective ones receive Recommended status.
• Safety and Security: Every Recommended extension undergoes rigorous technical review by Mozilla security experts to ensure it doesn't compromise user data or privacy.
• Exceptional User Experience: Recommended extensions must be delightful to use, with easy management and excellent design.
• International Relevance: With only a few hundred Recommended extensions at any time, Mozilla selects content relevant to users worldwide.
• Active Development: Developers must maintain their extensions to ensure they evolve with Firefox users' needs.

Finding Recommended Extensions

You can discover Recommended extensions through several channels:

• addons.mozilla.org (AMO): The official hosting platform where Recommended extensions are marked with special badging
• Firefox Browser: Recommended extensions may appear while browsing
• Add-ons Manager: Dedicated section for discovering Recommended extensions
• Special Badging: Look for the "Recommended" badge to identify these curated extensions

Security Benefits of Recommended Extensions

Recommended extensions offer significant security advantages:

• Thorough Security Review: Each extension undergoes comprehensive technical security review
• Mozilla's Secure Extension Policy: All Recommended extensions adhere to Mozilla's strict security standards
• Protection Against Malicious Extensions: The curated nature helps protect against bad actors who might try to steal user data
• Vetted by Experts: Mozilla staff security experts evaluate each extension

No Payment for Recommendations

Mozilla maintains strict integrity in their recommendation process:

• No Pay-to-Recommend: Developers cannot pay to become Recommended
• Curated for Quality: All Recommended content is selected solely to provide users with great browsing tools
• Objective Evaluation: Recommendations are based purely on merit and user benefit

Suggesting Extensions for Recommendation

If you believe an extension deserves Recommended status, you can help Mozilla identify quality content:

• Email Mozilla: Contact amo-featured [at] mozilla [dot] org
• Include Extension Link: Provide a link to the extension's AMO listing page
• Explain Why: Share why you think the extension should be Recommended

Browsing Analysis

The recommendation system analyzes your browsing behavior:

1. Website Detection: Identifies websites you frequently visit
2. Task Recognition: Recognizes common tasks and workflows
3. Pattern Analysis: Analyzes browsing patterns and preferences
4. Context Understanding: Understands the context of your activities
5. Need Identification: Identifies potential areas for enhancement

Recommendation Generation

Based on analysis, the system generates recommendations:

1. Extension Matching: Matches your needs with available extensions
2. Quality Filtering: Filters for high-quality, well-reviewed extensions
3. Relevance Scoring: Scores extensions based on relevance to your needs
4. Diversity Consideration: Ensures variety in recommendations
5. Timing Optimization: Presents recommendations at appropriate times

User Interface

Recommendations are presented through various interfaces:

• Add-ons Manager: Dedicated section for recommended extensions
• Browser Toolbar: Subtle notifications about relevant extensions
• New Tab Page: Suggestions on the new tab interface
• Context Menus: Right-click menu suggestions for specific actions
• Settings Pages: Recommendations in relevant settings sections

Enabling Recommendations

To receive extension recommendations:

1. Open Oasis Settings or Preferences
2. Navigate to the Privacy & Security section
3. Find the "Data Collection and Use" section
4. Enable "Allow Oasis to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla"
5. Enable "Allow Oasis to install and run studies" (optional)
6. Restart Oasis to apply changes

Disabling Recommendations

To stop receiving extension recommendations:

1. Open Oasis Settings or Preferences
2. Go to the Privacy & Security section
3. Find the "Data Collection and Use" section
4. Disable "Allow Oasis to send technical and interaction data to Mozilla"
5. Disable "Allow Oasis to install and run studies"
6. Clear any stored recommendation data

Customizing Recommendations

Fine-tune your recommendation experience:

• Dismiss Recommendations: Click "Not interested" to avoid similar suggestions
• Rate Extensions: Provide feedback to improve future recommendations
• Install Extensions: Installing recommended extensions helps refine suggestions
• Review Permissions: Always review extension permissions before installing
• Report Issues: Report problematic or inappropriate recommendations

Before Installing Extensions

Always review extensions carefully before installation:

• Read Descriptions: Understand what the extension does
• Check Permissions: Review what data the extension can access
• Read Reviews: Look at user reviews and ratings
• Verify Developer: Check the developer's reputation and history
• Consider Alternatives: Look for similar extensions to compare

After Installing Extensions

Monitor and manage your installed extensions:

• Test Functionality: Ensure the extension works as expected
• Monitor Performance: Watch for any impact on browser speed
• Review Permissions: Periodically check extension permissions
• Update Regularly: Keep extensions updated for security
• Remove Unused: Uninstall extensions you no longer use

Security Considerations

Maintain security when using extensions:

• Limit Permissions: Only grant necessary permissions
• Use Trusted Sources: Install from official extension stores
• Monitor Activity: Watch for unusual extension behavior
• Report Issues: Report suspicious or malicious extensions
• Regular Audits: Periodically review all installed extensions

No Recommendations Appearing

If you're not seeing extension recommendations:

1. Check if data collection is enabled in Oasis settings
2. Ensure you're using a supported Oasis version
3. Clear browser cache and cookies
4. Check your privacy settings and tracking protection
5. Restart Oasis and try again
6. Contact Mozilla support if issues persist

Irrelevant Recommendations

If recommendations don't match your needs:

1. Dismiss irrelevant recommendations to improve future suggestions
2. Install extensions that are relevant to your needs
3. Provide feedback on recommendation quality
4. Clear browsing data to reset recommendation patterns
5. Wait for the system to learn your preferences

Performance Issues

If recommendations cause performance problems:

1. Disable extension recommendations temporarily
2. Check for conflicting extensions
3. Update Oasis to the latest version
4. Clear browser cache and temporary files
5. Contact Mozilla support for assistance